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O. Cabrera starts at third vs. Rockies

O. Cabrera starts at third vs. Rockies

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050111 Orlando Cabrera

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CLEVELAND -- While taking a water break in the Indians' dugout during a hot Wednesday afternoon workout, Orlando Cabrera smirked. The veteran infielder had just been asked how third base had been treating him.

"Not well," Cabrera said with a smile. "Hey, I'm too old to be a liar."

The 36-year-old Cabrera may have been joking about his pregame infield session at the hot corner, but the Indians know he is more than capable of handling the position. For Wednesday's game against Colorado, Cabrera was in the lineup as the Tribe's third baseman for the second time in three games.

Those were also the only starts at third base in Cabrera's 15-year Major League career.

This season, Cabrera has served primarily as Cleveland's starting second baseman. With rookie second baseman Cord Phelps now on the roster, and first baseman Matt LaPorta on the disabled list, Cabrera has been asked to spend some time at third base as well.

Indians manager Manny Acta has full confidence in Cabrera at the challenging position.

"He felt comfortable over there," said Acta referring to Cabrera's previous start at third base on Monday. "He keeps getting his work over there. ... I don't see any issues with him. A ground ball is a ground ball to him and he's got good hands.

"It gives us some flexibility and more opportunities for him to be in there and for Phelps to get some more at-bats."